General cancellation flow — 4 steps
- Disable auto-renewal. From the provider's account panel, turn off "auto-renewal". This stops future charges.
- If you want a refund, open a support request. Disabling auto-renewal does not give a refund. If you are inside the refund window, contact support (live chat is fast, email is a fallback).
- Confirm the refund path for your payment method. Card → card, PayPal → PayPal; if bought via mobile store, refund goes through Apple/Google.
- Track the refund date. Bank-card refunds: 3-10 business days; PayPal 1-3 business days; mobile-store refunds 1-7 business days.
Frequently asked questions
How does the refund window start?
Per provider policy, the subscription start date is generally the reference. Some providers count the start of the renewal period. For current terms, check the provider's official support page.
I bought through App Store / Google Play — how do I get a refund?
The VPN provider's own refund policy does not apply; the refund must be requested through Apple App Store or Google Play. Those platforms' own refund rules apply.
Is disabling auto-renewal the same as a refund?
No. Disabling auto-renewal only stops future charges. To get a refund for the current period, you also need to open a refund request with the provider's support.
What can I do if my refund request is rejected?
Conversation with the provider's support typically takes 2-3 steps. If rejected, you can start a chargeback with the card issuer (your bank) or PayPal; however, this may affect your ability to use that provider later.
If I cancel my annual VPN mid-month, do I get a refund for the rest of the month?
Usually not. Most providers apply a "full refund within 30 days, no refund after" model. Proton VPN offers a pro-rata refund; with others, when the subscription ends you simply fall back to the free plan.